Thursday, July 31, 2014

Well, we made it through orientation last night. I knew Jubal would be fine. He's been looking forward to this day for so long. He's all smiles and loves his new classroom. I know Mrs. Rhonda and Ms. Cory are going to teach him so many wonderful things this year. I also know I'm going to squall like a baby. I won't let myself do it in front of him because he's so happy & excited, but I know as soon as I walk away it's going to happen. Heck, I want to cry now just typing about it.

Tomorrow, my firstborn little squishy baby boy will go to "big school". He's not so little or squishy anymore, nor does he like to be referred to as a baby. This is the beginning of a new journey for him and I just pray that he loves school and does well throughout his entire academic career. I will most definitely be there every step of the way because I want to see him succeed. I want to see both of my boys succeed. Lord knows what I'm going to do when my baby starts school, too. I'm glad I still have a few years until then.

I have been so excited for him up until now. Really, it's been just this past week that I have begun to feel any anxiety at all. However, the closer it has gotten to the big day, the more this mama feels like she's going to break down at any given moment and cry her eyes out. Even when I start talking about it, my voice gets shaky and you can tell there is a huge lump in my throat as I fight back the tears.

I'll make it through, though. I'm not the first mama that's had to do this and I won't be last.

Good luck on the first day of your new adventure, Jubal Talon!!! Mama loves you!

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

We don't have a lot of time during the week with our boys, except in the evenings, due to us both working, so we try to make it count. I hate the summer heat, but love that the days are longer during the summer so that we can get outside with them and play after work. My boys love it outside. They don't even care that they're drenched in sweat. I, on the other hand, hate to sweat, hate the gnats, and despise the mosquitoes. We make the most of it, though. :)

On the weekends, you can usually find us doing something outside, too. It usually includes water of some kind, though. We just try to keep the boys active as much as possible. I don't want them sitting in the house watching TV all of the time. I want them exploring different things, broadening their minds.

Here are some pictures of randomness from a few of the days of our lives.

When all else fails, hook the wagon up to the good ol' lawn mower and take them for a spin. Jubal & Gentry love it. It gives them at least a good 15 minutes of fun anyway. ;)

When it's rainy or just too doggone hot outside, we build things. Jubal and Gentry love to build with their Legos. They even help me pick them up sometimes, too. Ha!

Tuesday evenings are "Family Night" at McDonalds. We try to go as often as possible. They always have fun activities for the boys to do.

I usually get some kind of pictures from Larson on Saturday when I'm working, showing me what they are up to. He takes them to the park, or swimming, and sometimes to Uncle Adam's. Thankfully, Uncle Adam has shade trees.

Sometimes, it's so hot even Larson gets in the kiddie pool with them and sends me a selfie of it.

Nonetheless, our boys keep us on our toes, and we're more active than we would be without them. You know? Since we're old and all. Haha! Seriously, though, I wouldn't give up any of our randomness for anything else. I love this life, and the people in it. God has been so good to me.

He will start at GES Friday, and as excited as I am for his little self, I'm very anxious as well.

I have very high expectations. Not just of Jubal, but of his teachers, too. I want him to have teachers that genuinely care about him and his education. A teacher that wants to help him achieve big goals. I, as a parent, intend on doing everything I can at home to make sure Jubal does his part, and I just pray his teacher does everything she can when he's with her.

Just like his teacher now.

Mrs. Diane has been the most awesome K-3 teacher! She has taken Jubal under her wing and helped us help him grow into such a smart, funny, caring, confident, lovable little boy. He is no longer "a baby", he is a "big boy" now, especially according to him. She helped him feel that way about himself. She has in every sense been his "second mother". She's loved him as if she were, too.

I can't express how much I'm going to miss knowing my baby is with her every day. I know he is safe, I know he is learning so much, but most of all...I know he is loved.

We all love you, Mrs. Diane, and couldn't be more thankful for everything you have done for Jubal while he's been in your class. Thank you again for being such a positive influence in his young life.

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Jubal's four year well check was this past Monday. Bless his heart, he had to have four shots, too. He hates shots. We had to get them so he could start K-4 next Friday, though.

His stats:
Weight - 33.4 lbs.
Height - 37 3/4 inches

He has lost 4 ozs. since his last visit, but he's grown 1/4 inch. He's my smaller boy. Just like his daddy. :)

After his visit to the pediatrician, I took him to Chic-Fil-A to play and have breakfast. He was a little sad because even though there were other kids there, none were outside playing. It was also very hot & humid already, so we decided to leave after we ate and go to Burger King where they have an indoor playground.

There were no children at all there, but he still enjoyed playing for awhile anyway. He said he missed his brother. How sweet! At least by giving him a sibling we also gave him a playmate.

He's ready for "big school" now. Me? Not so much. It's true what seasoned mama's tell you. Enjoy them while they're little because time truly does fly.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

This may very well be my last post on Jubal's school days at GCA. Hopefully, I will get to continue for awhile with Gentry, but Jubal starts K-4 at GES August 1. I'm beginning to feel a little anxiety, but I know he will love it and do well.

I just hope both of my boys adjust to not being together at the same school. They love getting to see each other during the day. We have our routine of dropping them off together, too. Gentry will have a hard time understanding why his brother is not getting dropped off at the same time. I just worry about them both.

Here's the pictures I have of some of their days at GCA recently.

These are Jubal's best buds, Ian & Gwen.

We hope they get put together in the same class at GES.

Jumping rope.

I think all kids love playing in boxes.

Of all the toys on the playground, my boy ends up in a box. Ha!

They love getting to see each other at school. :)

Cleaning up after recess.

Lunchtime.

Gentry wasn't feeling good this day.

His teacher sent me this pic showing me how pale he looked.

She sent me this picture a little later letting me know he was feeling better.

He still looked like he didn't feel too well, but he ended up being fine.

Jubal wearing shades for his picture for his classroom door.

Such a cute door!

This was done for the board outside of Jubal's classroom.

My big boy's feet. :)

Let's do the Hokey Pokey!

Dancing to Father Abraham.

Got them hands & feet moving.

He was a very tired little boy.

Gentry woke up from his nap crying for his daddy.

Jubal stopped by his classroom to console him. :)

Much better for snack time. ;)

Jubal had asked Mrs. Diane for a watermelon to color.

She didn't have one, but while they napped, she drew one and made copies.

He was very happy when he woke up.

His finished coloring of his watermelon.

Hot days on the playground call for popcicles.

Yum!

Gentry is such a heartbreaker!

Recess with Miss Gemma.

Mrs. Diane even brought watermelon from her own garden for them to eat.

This boy should be a watermelon as much as he's eaten this summer!

Monday morning after turning 4 on Saturday.

He was asking Mrs. Diane if he was bigger. :)

And last, but not least, singing the Gospel Train for the class.

He got a little shy and forgot the words, but we'll practice more at home. ;)

I'm sure I'll have plenty of updates on Jubal once he starts K-4, but I'm not sure I'll have pictures from his teacher to go with it. Maybe Gentry's teachers will start sending me more pictures of him so I can keep up with his updates.

I like watching my boys grow, and these days are great memories for me. I hope one day that recording all these little things will mean as much to my boys.﻿

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Jubal's birthday celebration began on Friday at school. I bought a small cake for him to share with his friends, and his teacher, Mrs. Diane, let all the kids sing him Happy Birthday. She sent me some pictures of him while they were singing and of him enjoying his cake.

On Saturday, his actual birthday, my sister, Alannah, and my sister's friend and her two children came from Warner Robins to celebrate Jubal's big day with him. They didn't get to be here for Gentry's birthday, but we kind of celebrated Gentry turning two Saturday, too. He got presents and enjoyed the day as well.

I had to work Saturday, but Gena (my sister) wasn't supposed to be here until around 5:00 anyway, so it all worked out. We grilled hot dogs & ribs, had chips, cake, and ice cream. The kids had a silly string fight, and swam & played until well after dark. I think it was around 9:30 when I had to call it a night. I was pooped. The kids, however, could have gone on forever, I think. :)

Here's a few (a lot) of pictures from Jubal's birthday party. It wasn't anything big, just family, but he had a great time and that's what matters to me.

A little about me...

I'm a 44 year old mama to two precious (savages ha!) boys named Jubal Talon & Gentry Slade. I'm married to my frog-turned-prince charming, Larson, and we live in a small town in southeast Georgia.

This blog is a journal that I like to keep specifically for my boys. I want to keep up with as much of our life together in these fleeting moments as possible so that maybe one day Jubal & Gentry will have something to look back on.